Lesson in Faith… vs. 14-21

• 1^st – Unable to Help… vs. 14-16
  • Evil Spirit… vs. 14-15
    • When they had come to the multitude a man came to Him – kneeling down to Him and saying:
    • Lord have mercy on my son – for he is an epileptic and suffers severely.
    • For he often falls into the fire and often into the water!
    • When they arrived off the mountain – there was a MULTITUDE waiting for Jesus…
    • One man came and KNELT – asking the Lord [κύριος] to have MERCY on his son…
    • EPILEPTIC [σεληνιάζομαι] – to touched by the moon [lunatic]
    • This was NOT a physical sickness – it was SPIRITUAL…
    • The BOY had been struggling with a DEMON since he was little – Mark 9:21
    • Mark tells us that the DEMON would throw the boy into the FIRE and WATER – Mark 9:22
    • Globally – suicide is the FOURTH leading cause of death of youth between 15-29 years old…
    • And the rate has been increasing steadily over the past 20 years…
    • The world sees the PROBLEM – but they are looking at PHYSICAL solutions…
    • But the world is not just PHYSICAL [what we can see] – it is also SPIRITUAL [cannot see]
    • And PHYSICAL solutions do NOT work for SPIRITUAL problems!
    • We have an ENEMY who seeks to KILL and DESTROY lives – John 8:44
    • He is the one who whispers LIES in the ears of our YOUTH…
    • He tells them they are NOT good – NOT smart – NOT pretty – and NO one cares…
    • And the ONLY way we can help them – is by going to the root of the PROBLEM – stop the LIAR!
  • Wrong answer… vs. 16
    • So I brought him to Your disciples – but they could not cure him!
    • He brought his SON to the disciples – but they did NOT have the POWER [δύναμαι] to help…
    • A VERY large crowd had gathered – people being NOSY…
    • This gave ammunition to the SCRIBES – casting doubt about the DISCIPLES – Mark 9:14
    • But the reason the DISCIPLES could not HEAL [θεραπεύω] – was MEN were not the ANSWER!
    • PSYCHOLOGY [ψυχικός] – means the study of the psyche – natural mind [ψυχή]
    • On the surface – there appears to be some wisdom in PSYCHOLOGY …
    • But at its core it DENIES that God is the solution [or that even He exists]
    • PSYCHOLOGY presents the wisdom of MEN as the answer to the problem!
    • I Corinthians 2:14 – “The natural man [ψυχικός] does not receive the things of the Spirit of God – for they are foolishness to him…”
    • The world does not label PSYCHOLOGY as RELIGION – but it is…
    • It is the RELIGION of MAN – teaching we have the POWER [δύναμαι] to HEAL [θεραπεύω]
    • But before we run to a PSYCHIATRIST [just a man] for help…
    • Perhaps we should ask how THEIR life is going – before we give them OUR problems…
    • All they have to offer is the wisdom of MEN – which has NO power [δύναμαι]!
• 2^nd – Faithless… vs. 17-18
  • Lacking faith… vs. 17
    • Jesus answered and said: O faithless and perverse generation how long shall I be with you? 
    • How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me!
    • Jesus answer was QUICK – this was a FAITHLESS generation…
    • FAITHLESS [ἄπιστος] – the word means to LACK [ἄ] faith [πιστος]
    • But the problem was NOT with how much FAITH – everyone has FAITH – Romans 12:3
    • The PROBLEM was WHERE they put that FAITH – they refused to put it in God…
    • PERVERSE [διαστρέφω] – meaning to TURN away from [God]
    • Even with Jesus standing RIGHT in front of them – they were still NOT looking to Him…
    • Therefore – He commanded them [imperative] – bring the CHILD to Me!
    • Most people [even Christians] do NOT understand FAITH…
    • They think of FAITH in terms of QUANTITY – the more FAITH the better…
    • But the word means to TRUST [πείθω] – or to have CONFIDENCE…
    • And we could have all the CONFIDENCE in the world – all FAITH…
    • But if we TRUST in something other than Jesus [διαστρέφω] – our FAITH is useless [ἄπιστος]
    • FAITH is they KEY that opens up a door – the question is what DOOR are we opening!
  • Removing Doubt…
    • The moment the DEMON saw Jesus – it threw the child convulsing to the ground – Mark 9:20
    • Jesus turned to the Father and said: If you have the power [δύναμαι] to believe…
    • ALL [πᾶς] power [δυνατός] is available to those who have FAITH [πιστεύω]
    • Mark 9:24 – “The father… cried out and said with tears: Lord I believe. Help my unbelief!”
    • The father did have FAITH [πιστεύω] – but he also DOUBTED [ἀπιστία]
    • So with TEARS in his eyes he pleaded with Jesus to HELP him!
    • I believe God can do anything – and for Him NOTHING is impossible… 
    • I BELIEVE – but I also DOUBT – my problem is I need to see to BELIEVE!
    • It is NOT wrong to admit we have DOUBTS [God already knows]
    • But take those DOUBTS to the Lord – spend time Him – Romans 10:17
    • Then our DOUBTS will disappear – as we SEE the POWER [δυνατός] of God at work…
    • It has been said that seeing is BELIEVING – but that is not the case – II Corinthians 5:7
    • It is by BELIEVING we get to SEE God do the impossible – and that establishes our FAITH!
• 3^rd – Showing power… vs. 18
  • Over the enemy…
    • Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him. The child was [healed] from that very hour!
    • REBUKE [ἐπιτιμάω] – meaning to give HONOR [τιμάω]
    • When Michael the Archangel fought with the Devil over the body of Moses…
    • The same word is used – the Lord REBUKE [ἐπιτιμάω] you – Jude 1:9
    • Jesus is making a point – the Lord is the one who gets the HONOR…
    • JESUS commanded the DEMON to come out [imperative] – and NEVER come back – Mark 9:25
    • And the boy was [passive] HEALED [θεραπεύω] that very hour!
    • I John 4:4 – “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!”
    • If we come at satan in our own POWER – we are doomed to fail…
    • The only way to take on our enemy is with the POWER [δυνατός] of God…
    • Then our enemy does NOT stand a chance – Jesus is the ultimate POWER…
    • In Christ we have VICTORY – no weapon can defeat us – Isaiah 54:17
  • Over death…
    • When the DEMON came out – the boy stopped moving – people thought he died – Mark 9:26
    • But Jesus took him by the hand – and he ROSE up [suggesting he had died]
    • ROSE up [ἀνίστημι] – same word used to describe Jesus RISING from the dead!
    • Jesus does not just have POWER over the enemy – He has POWER over death…
    • Which is where we see the real CONTRAST between the POWER of MEN and GOD…
    • MEN might be able to HEAL someone with medication…
    • But MEN cannot bring someone back to LIFE who was DEAD!
    • I Corinthians 15:57 – “Who gives us the victory [over death] through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• 4^th – Nothing impossible… vs. 19-21
  • Failure… vs. 19-20
    • Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said: Why could we not cast it out?
    • So Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief!
    • The DISCIPLES came to Jesus – AWAY from the crowd [embarrassed]
    • Asking WHY did they NOT have the POWER [δύναμαι] to cast out the DEMON…
    • The answer from Jesus was the same – UNBELIEF…
    • UNBELIEF [ἀπιστία] or [ὀλιγόπιστος] in the MGNT – the problem was their FAITH…
    • They thought THEY could cast out the DEMON – their FAITH was in themselves!
    • If we do NOT have enough money – our answer is we will try harder…
    • If we do NOT feel well – our answer is we will get better…
    • Because we like to use the word I – I will go take care of it – I will make it happen!
    • But the ONLY word that should follow I is CANNOT – because we have NO power [δύναμαι]
    • And if we are LOOKING to ourselves for the ANSWER – we have a FAITH problem!
  • Mustard Seed… vs. 20
    • Assuredly I say to you – if you have faith as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain.
    • Move from here to there – and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you!
    • AMEN [ἀμήν] – if you have FAITH [πίστις] – in the RIGHT place…
    • Even if it as little as a MUSTARD seed [smallest seed]
    • You will [indicative] say to THIS mountain [they are the base of mount Hermon]
    • Move [imperative] – and it will MOVE [indicative]
    • Because NOTHING will be impossible [ἀδυνατέω] for you!
    • If I believe I can RUN at over 200 kilometers per hour – IMPOSSIBLE…
    • But if I believe I can MOVE that fast when inside a FERRARI – very POSSIBLE!
    • We serve a God for whom NOTHING is impossible – Matthew 19:26
    • Therefore if we put our FAITH [trust] in God – NOTHING is impossible [ἀδυνατέω] for us…
    • NOT because of who we are – but because of who HE is!
  • More Jesus… vs. 21
    • However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting!
    • Jesus does add one final insight – the KIND of demon that was in the boy…
    • KIND [γένος] – apparently NOT all demons as the same – Ephesians 6:12
    • And some of them take more EFFORT to cast out [prayer and fasting]
    • But note – Jesus did NOT do anything special to cast it out – He just told the DEMON to go!
    • We PRAY – to take the time to TALK to God…
    • We FAST – to take to FOCUS on God [rather than eating]
    • So the answer to even the toughest problem – is just MORE Jesus!

• 2^nd – Hope of our Faith… vs. 22-23
  • 1^st – The Gospel… vs. 22-23
    • Now while they were staying in Galilee Jesus said to them:
    • The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.
    • And they will kill Him – and the third day He will be raised up!
    • After they left Mount Hermon – and had returned to the Galilee…
    • Jesus told them again – He would be given over [betrayed] to men [religious leaders]
    • They would KILL [indicative] Him – but after THREE days he would RISE [indicative]
    • This was NOT bad news – it is the very HEART of the Gospel…
    • The WHOLE reason why Jesus became a MAN [ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου]
    • This is WHAT they were to put their FAITH in – because it is the ONLY way to be FORGIVEN!
    • It might seem like Christians are arrogant – because we say we have the ONLY way to heaven…
    • People might argue what about MUSLIMS – BUDDHISTS – who really believe…
    • The problem is NOT their FAITH – it is what they are TRUSTING in to save them!
    • The reason why there is only ONE way to heaven – John 14:6
    • Is because there is only ONE solution to the problem of sin…
    • The wages of SIN is death – and we all are SINNERS – so we all deserve HELL – Romans 6:23
    • But Jesus came to PAY the price for our SIN – He paid our DEBT…
    • He lived a PERFECT life [the only one] – and then He DIED in our place!
    • John 3:16 – “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son – that whoever [puts their FAITH] in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!”
  • 2^nd – Missing the point… vs. 23
    • They were exceedingly sorrowful!
    • When the DISCIPLES heard the GOOD new [the Gospel]
    • They were VERY [σφόδρα] sad – because they did NOT understand FAITH…
    • They were still looking at what they WANTED [king] – and missing who Jesus was [savior]!
    • Too many people treat God [I declare] – like He is some kind of mystical GENIE…
    • So long as we come in FAITH – we can tell God what to do…
    • But then when it does not happen we are VERY [σφόδρα] sad – as if God made a mistake!
    • FAITH is not us telling God what we WANT Him to do – it is God telling us what He will do…
    • FAITH means we come in HUMILITY – to submit to the plans of the Lord [κύριος] 

• 3^rd – Practical Faith… vs. 24-27
  • 1^st – Temple Tax… vs. 24-25
    • When they had come to Capernaum – those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said:
    • Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax? He said: Yes!
    • When the DISCIPLES came to CAPERNAUM – Peter was cornered…
    • The TAX collectors accused Jesus of NOT [indicative] paying the TEMPLE tax…
    • TEMPLE tax [δίδραχμον] – was the half SHEKEL tax required by the LAW – Exodus 30:12-16
    • Peter [hard head] was quick to defend the Lord – YES – they would PAY…
    • But it was NOT a required TAX – it was only to be paid if there was a CENSUS…
    • It was a deterrent – because God did not want Israel to count the people!
    • If Israel was preparing to go to Battle – they might COUNT how many troops they had…
    • And trust in their strength of NUMBERS – rather than trusting in the LORD…
    • But God does NOT care about numbers – the THREE hundred men of Gideon – Judges 7:2
      
    • Even today we tend to look – and to and trust in NUMBERS…
    • One of the FIRST questions someone will ask about a church – how many people come…
    • We see quantity as a sign of blessings – but God does not look at numbers…
    • God looks at the heart – He wants His people to look to put their FAITH in Him!
  • 2^nd – Sons of the King… vs. 25-26
    • Other People… vs. 25
      • When he had come into the house Jesus anticipated him saying: What do you think Simon? 
      • Whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes – from their sons or from strangers?
      • The moment Peter came into the house – Jesus was READY…
      • He asked SIMON [listen] what he THOUGHT – who PAYS the taxes…
      • The SONS of the KING – or everyone else [ἄλλος]
    • Free… vs. 26
      • Peter said to Him: From strangers. Jesus said to him: Then the sons are free!
      • Peter knew the right answer – the TAXES come from everyone else [ἄλλος]
      • To which Jesus made the POINT – then the SONS are FREE!
      • We are NOT strangers in the Kingdom of God – we are SON – I John 3:1
      • Therefore we are NOT required to give pay any TAXES [tithe] – II Corinthians 9:7
      • Because there is no TAX for the sons and daughters of the KING…
      • We can GIVE if and when we desire – God loves his kids to give cheerfully!
  • 3^rd – Provision… vs. 27
    • Yes be Yes…
      • Nevertheless – lest we offend them go to the sea. Cast a hook and take the fish that comes first.
      • When you have opened its mouth you will find a piece of money.
      • Take that and give it to them for Me and you!
      • Peter had already agreed to PAY the TEMPLE tax…
      • And Jesus NOT wanting to cause a SCANDAL [σκανδαλίζω]
      • Matthew 5:37 – “Let your Yes be Yes – and your No – No.”
      • We need to be careful and KEEP our WORD – be true to our YES and NO…
      • Too often we speak – then we stop to think about what we said…
      • But God expects us to be men and women of our WORD!
      • Ecclesiastes 5:5 – “It is better to say nothing than to promise something that you do not follow through on.” [NLT]
    • Ordinary Miracle…
      • Jesus Commanded [imperative] a FISHERMAN [Peter] to go FISHING…
      • And the FIRST fish he caught would have a COIN in its mouth…
      • COIN [στατήρ] – equivalent to a SHEKEL – the exact amount to pay for them BOTH…
      • Now Peter could have DOUBTED – what are the chances of catching a FISH with a COIN…
      • But instead he had FAITH – that what God said – would be TRUE!
      • I love how God provides using the means that are familiar…
      • He takes care of us SUPERNATURALLY – but with very NATURAL means…
      • All we have to do is BELIEVE [faith] that He is the God who is TRUE to His Word…
      • And we will see the He meets every NEED – exactly what we NEED – just when we NEED it!
      • Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness – and all these things shall be added to you.”